Korn makes arena Centre of attention

The show drew fans from across the tri-state region.
By GUY D'ASTOLFO
VINDICATOR ENTERTAINMENT WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- How big was Korn's appearance Monday night at Chevrolet Centre?
Well, for the first time in the not-quite six months since the downtown arena opened, the familiar chant of scalpers was heard on adjacent streets: "Any extra tickets?"
Making their only tri-state appearance, Korn ripped through a set of mostly older stuff, with a few songs from their new album, "See You On the Other Side."
The nu-metal pioneers' current tour isn't stopping in either Pittsburgh or Cleveland -- which made Youngstown the center of Korn's kingdom for a night.
The band's fiercely loyal fans responded, trekking in from throughout the region. According to Matt Hufnagel, the arena's executive director, ticket sales were strong in several markets, including Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Akron and Canton, although he didn't have the breakdown by city.
New album
Korn collaborated with pop producers The Matrix on the new album, resulting in what many critics say is the Bakersfield, Calif., quartet's best album. It's a shame they didn't play more songs from the album.
Fans had to settle for "Love Song," "Liar," "Throw Me Away" and "Hypocrite" before the encore brought the current smash, "Twisted Transistor."
The show closed with "Blind" -- song one from album one -- which is perhaps the ultimate head bobber.
If the new album tones down the rage, hurt, betrayal and chaos, it all came through in the live show.
A backdrop screen showed a parade of evil toys and other scenes that reflected an undercurrent of isolation that runs through the band's songs.
Other acts
A full house of about 6,000 packed the arena for the show, which included openers 10 Years and Mudvayne.
10 Years, no strangers to Youngstown -- they've played at other Valley venues a few times recently -- gave a strong 30-minute set that culminated with hit "Wasteland."
The Knoxville, Tenn., band gave thanks to the fans, who've made Youngstown seem like a second home.
Mudvayne came next and immediately dispensed with the niceties, tearing into a thunderous, rivet-popping set that might have compromised the building's structural integrity.